It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare. Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own. Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new. We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds. These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment. By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them. The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin. The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works. An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts. The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater.
Folger Shakespeare Library http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org Contents Front Matter From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library Textual Introduction Synopsis Characters in the Play ACT Scene Scene Scene Scene Scene ACT Scene Scene ACT Scene Scene Scene Scene ACT Scene Scene Scene Scene Scene Scene Scene ACT Scene Scene From the Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library It is hard to imagine a world without Shakespeare Since their composition four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays and poems have traveled the globe, inviting those who see and read his works to make them their own Readers of the New Folger Editions are part of this ongoing process of “taking up Shakespeare,” finding our own thoughts and feelings in language that strikes us as old or unusual and, for that very reason, new We still struggle to keep up with a writer who could think a mile a minute, whose words paint pictures that shift like clouds These expertly edited texts are presented to the public as a resource for study, artistic adaptation, and enjoyment By making the classic texts of the New Folger Editions available in electronic form as Folger Digital Texts, we place a trusted resource in the hands of anyone who wants them The New Folger Editions of Shakespeare’s plays, which are the basis for the texts realized here in digital form, are special because of their origin The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is the single greatest documentary source of Shakespeare’s works An unparalleled collection of early modern books, manuscripts, and artwork connected to Shakespeare, the Folger’s holdings have been consulted extensively in the preparation of these texts The Editions also reflect the expertise gained through the regular performance of Shakespeare’s works in the Folger’s Elizabethan Theater I want to express my deep thanks to editors Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine for creating these indispensable editions of Shakespeare’s works, which incorporate the best of textual scholarship with a richness of commentary that is both inspired and engaging Readers who want to know more about Shakespeare and his plays can follow the paths these distinguished scholars have tread by visiting the Folger either in-person or online, where a range of physical and digital resources exists to supplement the material in these texts I commend to you these words, and hope that they inspire Michael Witmore Director, Folger Shakespeare Library Textual Introduction By Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine Until now, with the release of the Folger Digital Texts, readers in search of a free online text of Shakespeare’s plays had to be content primarily with using the Moby™ Text, which reproduces a latenineteenth century version of the plays What is the difference? Many ordinary readers assume that there is a single text for the plays: what Shakespeare wrote But Shakespeare’s plays were not published the way modern novels or plays are published today: as a single, authoritative text In some cases, the plays have come down to us in multiple published versions, represented by various Quartos (Qq) and by the great collection put together by his colleagues in 1623, called the First Folio (F) There are, for example, three very different versions of Hamlet, two of King Lear, Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and others Editors choose which version to use as their base text, and then amend that text with words, lines or speech prefixes from the other versions that, in their judgment, make for a better or more accurate text Other editorial decisions involve choices about whether an unfamiliar word could be understood in light of other writings of the period or whether it should be changed; decisions about words that made it into Shakespeare’s text by accident through four hundred years of printings and misprinting; and even decisions based on cultural preference and taste When the Moby™ Text was created, for example, it was deemed “improper” and “indecent” for Miranda to chastise Caliban for having attempted to rape her (See The Tempest, 1.2: “Abhorred slave,/Which any print of goodness wilt not take,/Being capable of all ill! I pitied thee…”) All Shakespeare editors at the time took the speech away from her and gave it to her father, Prospero The editors of the Moby™ Shakespeare produced their text long before scholars fully understood the proper grounds on which to make the thousands of decisions that Shakespeare editors face The Folger Library Shakespeare Editions, on which the Folger Digital Texts depend, make this editorial process as nearly transparent as is possible, in contrast to older texts, like the Moby™, which hide editorial interventions The reader of the Folger Shakespeare knows where the text has been altered because editorial interventions are signaled by square brackets (for example, from Othello: “ If she in chains of magic were not bound, ”), half-square brackets (for example, from Henry V: “With blood and sword and fire to win your right,”), or angle brackets (for example, from Hamlet: “O farewell, honest soldier Who hath relieved/you?”) At any point in the text, you can hover your cursor over a bracket for more information Because the Folger Digital Texts are edited in accord with twenty-first century knowledge about Shakespeare’s texts, the Folger here provides them to readers, scholars, teachers, actors, directors, and students, free of charge, confident of their quality as texts of the plays and pleased to be able to make this contribution to the study and enjoyment of Shakespeare Synopsis Events before the start of Hamlet set the stage for tragedy When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlet’s father, suddenly dies, Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, marries his uncle Claudius, who becomes the new king A spirit who claims to be the ghost of Hamlet’s father describes his murder at the hands of Claudius and demands that Hamlet avenge the killing When the councilor Polonius learns from his daughter, Ophelia, that Hamlet has visited her in an apparently distracted state, Polonius attributes the prince’s condition to lovesickness, and he sets a trap for Hamlet using Ophelia as bait To confirm Claudius’s guilt, Hamlet arranges for a play that mimics the murder; Claudius’s reaction is that of a guilty man Hamlet, now free to act, mistakenly kills Polonius, thinking he is Claudius Claudius sends Hamlet away as part of a deadly plot After Polonius’s death, Ophelia goes mad and later drowns Hamlet, who has returned safely to confront the king, agrees to a fencing match with Ophelia’s brother, Laertes, who secretly poisons his own rapier At the match, Claudius prepares poisoned wine for Hamlet, which Gertrude unknowingly drinks; as she dies, she accuses Claudius, whom Hamlet kills Then first Laertes and then Hamlet die, both victims of Laertes’ rapier Characters in the Play THE GHOST HAMLET, Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude QUEEN GERTRUDE, widow of King Hamlet, now married to Claudius KING CLAUDIUS, brother to the late King Hamlet OPHELIA LAERTES, her brother POLONIUS, father of Ophelia and Laertes, councillor to King Claudius REYNALDO, servant to Polonius HORATIO, Hamlet’s friend and confidant VOLTEMAND CORNELIUS ROSENCRANTZ GUILDENSTERN courtiers at the Danish court OSRIC Gentlemen A Lord FRANCISCO BARNARDO Danish soldiers MARCELLUS FORTINBRAS, Prince of Norway A Captain in Fortinbras’s army Ambassadors to Denmark from England Players who take the roles of Prologue, Player King, Player Queen, and Lucianus in The Murder of Gonzago Two Messengers Sailors Gravedigger Gravedigger’s companion Doctor of Divinity Attendants, Lords, Guards, Musicians, Laertes’s Followers, Soldiers, Officers ACT Scene Enter Barnardo and Francisco, two sentinels FTLN 0001 BARNARDO Who’s there? FRANCISCO FTLN 0002 FTLN 0003 FTLN 0004 FTLN 0005 Nay, answer me Stand and unfold yourself BARNARDO Long live the King! FRANCISCO Barnardo BARNARDO He FRANCISCO FTLN 0006 You come most carefully upon your hour BARNARDO FTLN 0007 ’Tis now struck twelve Get thee to bed, Francisco FRANCISCO FTLN 0008 FTLN 0009 FTLN 0010 FTLN 0011 FTLN 0012 FTLN 0013 FTLN 0014 For this relief much thanks ’Tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart BARNARDO Have you had quiet guard? FRANCISCO Not a mouse stirring BARNARDO Well, good night If you meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste 10 Enter Horatio and Marcellus FRANCISCO FTLN 0015 FTLN 0016 I think I hear them.—Stand ho! Who is there? HORATIO Friends to this ground 15 Hamlet FTLN 0017 MARCELLUS FTLN 0018 FRANCISCO ACT SC And liegemen to the Dane Give you good night MARCELLUS FTLN 0019 FTLN 0020 O farewell, honest soldier Who hath relieved you? 20 FRANCISCO FTLN 0021 FTLN 0022 FTLN 0023 FTLN 0024 Barnardo hath my place Give you good night Francisco exits MARCELLUS Holla, Barnardo BARNARDO Say, what, is Horatio there? HORATIO A piece of him BARNARDO FTLN 0025 Welcome, Horatio.—Welcome, good Marcellus 25 HORATIO FTLN 0026 FTLN 0027 What, has this thing appeared again tonight? BARNARDO I have seen nothing MARCELLUS FTLN 0028 FTLN 0029 FTLN 0030 FTLN 0031 FTLN 0032 FTLN 0033 FTLN 0034 Horatio says ’tis but our fantasy And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight twice seen of us Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night, That, if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it 30 HORATIO FTLN 0035 FTLN 0036 FTLN 0037 FTLN 0038 FTLN 0039 FTLN 0040 FTLN 0041 FTLN 0042 FTLN 0043 FTLN 0044 FTLN 0045 FTLN 0046 Tush, tush, ’twill not appear Sit down awhile, And let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story, What we have two nights seen HORATIO Well, sit we down, And let us hear Barnardo speak of this BARNARDO Last night of all, When yond same star that’s westward from the pole Had made his course t’ illume that part of heaven Where now it burns, Marcellus and myself, The bell then beating one— 35 BARNARDO 40 45 11 Hamlet ACT SC Enter Ghost MARCELLUS FTLN 0047 Peace, break thee off! Look where it comes again BARNARDO FTLN 0048 FTLN 0049 In the same figure like the King that’s dead MARCELLUS, to Horatio Thou art a scholar Speak to it, Horatio BARNARDO FTLN 0050 Looks he not like the King? Mark it, Horatio 50 HORATIO FTLN 0051 Most like It harrows me with fear and wonder BARNARDO FTLN 0052 FTLN 0053 It would be spoke to Speak to it, Horatio MARCELLUS HORATIO FTLN 0054 FTLN 0055 FTLN 0056 FTLN 0057 FTLN 0058 What art thou that usurp’st this time of night, Together with that fair and warlike form In which the majesty of buried Denmark Did sometimes march? By heaven, I charge thee, speak 55 MARCELLUS FTLN 0059 FTLN 0060 It is offended BARNARDO See, it stalks away 60 HORATIO FTLN 0061 Stay! speak! speak! I charge thee, speak! Ghost exits FTLN 0062 MARCELLUS ’Tis gone and will not answer BARNARDO FTLN 0063 FTLN 0064 FTLN 0065 How now, Horatio, you tremble and look pale Is not this something more than fantasy? What think you on ’t? HORATIO FTLN 0066 FTLN 0067 FTLN 0068 Before my God, I might not this believe Without the sensible and true avouch Of mine own eyes 65 259 Hamlet ACT SC Scene Enter Hamlet and Horatio HAMLET FTLN 3719 FTLN 3720 FTLN 3721 So much for this, sir Now shall you see the other You remember all the circumstance? HORATIO Remember it, my lord! HAMLET FTLN 3722 FTLN 3723 FTLN 3724 FTLN 3725 FTLN 3726 FTLN 3727 FTLN 3728 FTLN 3729 FTLN 3730 FTLN 3731 FTLN 3732 FTLN 3733 FTLN 3734 FTLN 3735 FTLN 3736 FTLN 3737 FTLN 3738 FTLN 3739 FTLN 3740 FTLN 3741 FTLN 3742 FTLN 3743 FTLN 3744 FTLN 3745 FTLN 3746 FTLN 3747 Sir, in my heart there was a kind of fighting That would not let me sleep Methought I lay Worse than the mutines in the bilboes Rashly— And praised be rashness for it: let us know, Our indiscretion sometime serves us well When our deep plots pall; and that should learn us There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will— HORATIO That is most certain HAMLET Up from my cabin, My sea-gown scarfed about me, in the dark Groped I to find out them; had my desire, Fingered their packet, and in fine withdrew To mine own room again, making so bold (My fears forgetting manners) to unfold Their grand commission; where I found, Horatio, A royal knavery—an exact command, Larded with many several sorts of reasons Importing Denmark’s health and England’s too, With—ho!—such bugs and goblins in my life, That on the supervise, no leisure bated, No, not to stay the grinding of the ax, My head should be struck off HORATIO Is ’t possible? 10 15 20 25 HAMLET FTLN 3748 Here’s the commission Read it at more leisure Handing him a paper 30 261 FTLN 3749 FTLN 3750 Hamlet ACT SC But wilt thou hear now how I did proceed? HORATIO I beseech you HAMLET FTLN 3751 FTLN 3752 FTLN 3753 FTLN 3754 FTLN 3755 FTLN 3756 FTLN 3757 FTLN 3758 FTLN 3759 FTLN 3760 Being thus benetted round with villainies, Or I could make a prologue to my brains, They had begun the play I sat me down, Devised a new commission, wrote it fair— I once did hold it, as our statists do, A baseness to write fair, and labored much How to forget that learning; but, sir, now It did me yeoman’s service Wilt thou know Th’ effect of what I wrote? HORATIO Ay, good my lord 35 40 HAMLET FTLN 3761 FTLN 3762 FTLN 3763 FTLN 3764 FTLN 3765 FTLN 3766 FTLN 3767 FTLN 3768 FTLN 3769 FTLN 3770 FTLN 3771 An earnest conjuration from the King, As England was his faithful tributary, As love between them like the palm might flourish, As peace should still her wheaten garland wear And stand a comma ’tween their amities, And many suchlike ases of great charge, That, on the view and knowing of these contents, Without debatement further, more or less, He should those bearers put to sudden death, Not shriving time allowed HORATIO How was this sealed? 45 50 HAMLET FTLN 3772 FTLN 3773 FTLN 3774 FTLN 3775 FTLN 3776 FTLN 3777 FTLN 3778 FTLN 3779 FTLN 3780 Why, even in that was heaven ordinant I had my father’s signet in my purse, Which was the model of that Danish seal; Folded the writ up in the form of th’ other, Subscribed it, gave ’t th’ impression, placed it safely, The changeling never known Now, the next day Was our sea-fight; and what to this was sequent Thou knowest already HORATIO FTLN 3781 So Guildenstern and Rosencrantz go to ’t 55 60 263 Hamlet ACT SC HAMLET FTLN 3782 FTLN 3783 FTLN 3784 FTLN 3785 FTLN 3786 FTLN 3787 FTLN 3788 Why, man, they did make love to this employment They are not near my conscience Their defeat Does by their own insinuation grow ’Tis dangerous when the baser nature comes Between the pass and fell incensèd points Of mighty opposites HORATIO Why, what a king is this! 65 70 HAMLET FTLN 3789 FTLN 3790 FTLN 3791 FTLN 3792 FTLN 3793 FTLN 3794 FTLN 3795 FTLN 3796 FTLN 3797 FTLN 3798 Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon— He that hath killed my king and whored my mother, Popped in between th’ election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life, And with such cozenage—is ’t not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is ’t not to be damned To let this canker of our nature come In further evil? 75 80 HORATIO FTLN 3799 FTLN 3800 It must be shortly known to him from England What is the issue of the business there HAMLET FTLN 3801 FTLN 3802 FTLN 3803 FTLN 3804 FTLN 3805 FTLN 3806 FTLN 3807 FTLN 3808 FTLN 3809 It will be short The interim’s mine, And a man’s life’s no more than to say “one.” But I am very sorry, good Horatio, That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the image of my cause I see The portraiture of his I’ll court his favors But, sure, the bravery of his grief did put me Into a tow’ring passion HORATIO Peace, who comes here? Enter Osric, a courtier FTLN 3810 FTLN 3811 Your Lordship is right welcome back to Denmark OSRIC 85 90 265 FTLN 3812 FTLN 3813 FTLN 3814 FTLN 3815 FTLN 3816 FTLN 3817 FTLN 3818 FTLN 3819 FTLN 3820 FTLN 3821 FTLN 3822 FTLN 3823 FTLN 3824 FTLN 3825 FTLN 3826 FTLN 3827 FTLN 3828 FTLN 3829 FTLN 3830 FTLN 3831 FTLN 3832 FTLN 3833 FTLN 3834 FTLN 3835 FTLN 3836 FTLN 3837 FTLN 3838 FTLN 3839 FTLN 3840 FTLN 3841 FTLN 3842 FTLN 3843 FTLN 3844 FTLN 3845 FTLN 3846 Hamlet ACT SC I humbly thank you, sir Aside to Horatio Dost know this waterfly? HORATIO , aside to Hamlet No, my good lord HAMLET , aside to Horatio Thy state is the more gracious, for ’tis a vice to know him He hath much land, and fertile Let a beast be lord of beasts and his crib shall stand at the king’s mess ’Tis a chough, but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt OSRIC Sweet lord, if your Lordship were at leisure, I should impart a thing to you from his Majesty HAMLET I will receive it, sir, with all diligence of spirit Put your bonnet to his right use: ’tis for the head OSRIC I thank your Lordship; it is very hot HAMLET No, believe me, ’tis very cold; the wind is northerly OSRIC It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed HAMLET But yet methinks it is very sultry and hot for my complexion OSRIC Exceedingly, my lord; it is very sultry, as ’twere—I cannot tell how My lord, his Majesty bade me signify to you that he has laid a great wager on your head Sir, this is the matter— HAMLET I beseech you, remember He motions to Osric to put on his hat OSRIC Nay, good my lord, for my ease, in good faith Sir, here is newly come to court Laertes—believe me, an absolute gentleman, full of most excellent differences, of very soft society and great showing Indeed, to speak feelingly of him, he is the card or calendar of gentry, for you shall find in him the continent of what part a gentleman would see HAMLET Sir, his definement suffers no perdition in you, though I know to divide him inventorially would dozy th’ arithmetic of memory, and yet but yaw neither, in respect of his quick sail But, in the HAMLET 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 267 FTLN 3847 FTLN 3848 FTLN 3849 FTLN 3850 FTLN 3851 FTLN 3852 FTLN 3853 FTLN 3854 FTLN 3855 FTLN 3856 FTLN 3857 FTLN 3858 FTLN 3859 FTLN 3860 FTLN 3861 FTLN 3862 FTLN 3863 FTLN 3864 FTLN 3865 FTLN 3866 FTLN 3867 FTLN 3868 FTLN 3869 FTLN 3870 FTLN 3871 FTLN 3872 FTLN 3873 FTLN 3874 FTLN 3875 FTLN 3876 FTLN 3877 FTLN 3878 FTLN 3879 FTLN 3880 FTLN 3881 FTLN 3882 Hamlet ACT SC verity of extolment, I take him to be a soul of great article, and his infusion of such dearth and rareness as, to make true diction of him, his semblable is his mirror, and who else would trace him, his umbrage, nothing more OSRIC Your Lordship speaks most infallibly of him HAMLET The concernancy, sir? Why we wrap the gentleman in our more rawer breath? OSRIC Sir? HORATIO Is ’t not possible to understand in another tongue? You will to ’t, sir, really HAMLET , to Osric What imports the nomination of this gentleman? OSRIC Of Laertes? HORATIO His purse is empty already; all ’s golden words are spent HAMLET Of him, sir OSRIC I know you are not ignorant— HAMLET I would you did, sir Yet, in faith, if you did, it would not much approve me Well, sir? OSRIC You are not ignorant of what excellence Laertes is— HAMLET I dare not confess that, lest I should compare with him in excellence But to know a man well were to know himself OSRIC I mean, sir, for his weapon But in the imputation laid on him by them, in his meed he’s unfellowed HAMLET What’s his weapon? OSRIC Rapier and dagger HAMLET That’s two of his weapons But, well— OSRIC The King, sir, hath wagered with him six Barbary horses, against the which he has impawned, as I take it, six French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so Three of the carriages, in faith, are very dear to fancy, very 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 269 FTLN 3883 FTLN 3884 FTLN 3885 FTLN 3886 FTLN 3887 FTLN 3888 FTLN 3889 FTLN 3890 FTLN 3891 FTLN 3892 FTLN 3893 FTLN 3894 FTLN 3895 FTLN 3896 FTLN 3897 FTLN 3898 FTLN 3899 FTLN 3900 FTLN 3901 FTLN 3902 FTLN 3903 FTLN 3904 FTLN 3905 FTLN 3906 FTLN 3907 FTLN 3908 FTLN 3909 FTLN 3910 FTLN 3911 FTLN 3912 FTLN 3913 FTLN 3914 FTLN 3915 FTLN 3916 FTLN 3917 FTLN 3918 Hamlet ACT SC responsive to the hilts, most delicate carriages, and of very liberal conceit HAMLET What call you the “carriages”? HORATIO I knew you must be edified by the margent ere you had done OSRIC The carriages, sir, are the hangers HAMLET The phrase would be more germane to the matter if we could carry a cannon by our sides I would it might be “hangers” till then But on Six Barbary horses against six French swords, their assigns, and three liberal-conceited carriages— that’s the French bet against the Danish Why is this all “impawned,” as you call it? OSRIC The King, sir, hath laid, sir, that in a dozen passes between yourself and him, he shall not exceed you three hits He hath laid on twelve for nine, and it would come to immediate trial if your Lordship would vouchsafe the answer HAMLET How if I answer no? OSRIC I mean, my lord, the opposition of your person in trial HAMLET Sir, I will walk here in the hall If it please his Majesty, it is the breathing time of day with me Let the foils be brought, the gentleman willing, and the King hold his purpose, I will win for him, an I can If not, I will gain nothing but my shame and the odd hits OSRIC Shall I deliver you e’en so? HAMLET To this effect, sir, after what flourish your nature will OSRIC I commend my duty to your Lordship HAMLET Yours Osric exits He does well to commend it himself There are no tongues else for ’s turn HORATIO This lapwing runs away with the shell on his head 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 200 271 FTLN 3919 FTLN 3920 FTLN 3921 FTLN 3922 FTLN 3923 FTLN 3924 FTLN 3925 FTLN 3926 Hamlet ACT SC He did comply, sir, with his dug before he sucked it Thus has he (and many more of the same breed that I know the drossy age dotes on) only got the tune of the time, and, out of an habit of encounter, a kind of yeasty collection, which carries them through and through the most fanned and winnowed opinions; and but blow them to their trial, the bubbles are out HAMLET 205 Enter a Lord FTLN 3927 FTLN 3928 FTLN 3929 FTLN 3930 FTLN 3931 FTLN 3932 FTLN 3933 FTLN 3934 FTLN 3935 FTLN 3936 FTLN 3937 FTLN 3938 FTLN 3939 FTLN 3940 FTLN 3941 FTLN 3942 FTLN 3943 FTLN 3944 FTLN 3945 FTLN 3946 FTLN 3947 FTLN 3948 FTLN 3949 FTLN 3950 FTLN 3951 FTLN 3952 FTLN 3953 My lord, his Majesty commended him to you by young Osric, who brings back to him that you attend him in the hall He sends to know if your pleasure hold to play with Laertes, or that you will take longer time HAMLET I am constant to my purposes They follow the King’s pleasure If his fitness speaks, mine is ready now or whensoever, provided I be so able as now LORD The King and Queen and all are coming down HAMLET In happy time LORD The Queen desires you to use some gentle entertainment to Laertes before you fall to play HAMLET She well instructs me Lord exits HORATIO You will lose, my lord HAMLET I not think so Since he went into France, I have been in continual practice I shall win at the odds; but thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart But it is no matter HORATIO Nay, good my lord— HAMLET It is but foolery, but it is such a kind of gaingiving as would perhaps trouble a woman HORATIO If your mind dislike anything, obey it I will forestall their repair hither and say you are not fit HAMLET Not a whit We defy augury There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow If it be now, ’tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be LORD 210 215 220 225 230 235 273 Hamlet ACT SC now; if it be not now, yet it will come The readiness is all Since no man of aught he leaves knows, what is ’t to leave betimes? Let be FTLN 3954 FTLN 3955 FTLN 3956 A table prepared Enter Trumpets, Drums, and Officers with cushions, King, Queen, Osric, and all the state, foils, daggers, flagons of wine, and Laertes KING FTLN 3957 FTLN 3958 FTLN 3959 FTLN 3960 FTLN 3961 FTLN 3962 FTLN 3963 FTLN 3964 FTLN 3965 FTLN 3966 FTLN 3967 FTLN 3968 FTLN 3969 FTLN 3970 FTLN 3971 FTLN 3972 FTLN 3973 FTLN 3974 FTLN 3975 FTLN 3976 FTLN 3977 FTLN 3978 FTLN 3979 FTLN 3980 FTLN 3981 FTLN 3982 FTLN 3983 Come, Hamlet, come and take this hand from me He puts Laertes’ hand into Hamlet’s HAMLET , to Laertes Give me your pardon, sir I have done you wrong; But pardon ’t as you are a gentleman This presence knows, And you must needs have heard, how I am punished With a sore distraction What I have done That might your nature, honor, and exception Roughly awake, I here proclaim was madness Was ’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet If Hamlet from himself be ta’en away, And when he’s not himself does wrong Laertes, Then Hamlet does it not; Hamlet denies it Who does it, then? His madness If ’t be so, Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged; His madness is poor Hamlet’s enemy Sir, in this audience Let my disclaiming from a purposed evil Free me so far in your most generous thoughts That I have shot my arrow o’er the house And hurt my brother LAERTES I am satisfied in nature, Whose motive in this case should stir me most To my revenge; but in my terms of honor I stand aloof and will no reconcilement Till by some elder masters of known honor I have a voice and precedent of peace To keep my name ungored But till that time 240 245 250 255 260 265 275 FTLN 3984 FTLN 3985 FTLN 3986 FTLN 3987 FTLN 3988 FTLN 3989 Hamlet ACT SC I receive your offered love like love And will not wrong it HAMLET I embrace it freely And will this brothers’ wager frankly play.— Give us the foils Come on LAERTES Come, one for me 270 HAMLET FTLN 3990 FTLN 3991 FTLN 3992 FTLN 3993 FTLN 3994 I’ll be your foil, Laertes; in mine ignorance Your skill shall, like a star i’ th’ darkest night, Stick fiery off indeed LAERTES You mock me, sir HAMLET No, by this hand 275 KING FTLN 3995 FTLN 3996 FTLN 3997 FTLN 3998 Give them the foils, young Osric Cousin Hamlet, You know the wager? HAMLET Very well, my lord Your Grace has laid the odds o’ th’ weaker side 280 KING FTLN 3999 FTLN 4000 I not fear it; I have seen you both But, since he is better, we have therefore odds LAERTES FTLN 4001 This is too heavy Let me see another HAMLET FTLN 4002 FTLN 4003 This likes me well These foils have all a length? OSRIC Ay, my good lord Prepare to play 285 KING FTLN 4004 FTLN 4005 FTLN 4006 FTLN 4007 FTLN 4008 FTLN 4009 FTLN 4010 FTLN 4011 Set me the stoups of wine upon that table.— If Hamlet give the first or second hit Or quit in answer of the third exchange, Let all the battlements their ordnance fire The King shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath, And in the cup an union shall he throw, Richer than that which four successive kings In Denmark’s crown have worn Give me the cups, 290 277 FTLN 4012 FTLN 4013 FTLN 4014 FTLN 4015 FTLN 4016 FTLN 4017 FTLN 4018 FTLN 4019 FTLN 4020 FTLN 4021 FTLN 4022 FTLN 4023 Hamlet ACT SC And let the kettle to the trumpet speak, The trumpet to the cannoneer without, The cannons to the heavens, the heaven to earth, “Now the King drinks to Hamlet.” Come, begin And you, the judges, bear a wary eye Trumpets the while HAMLET Come on, sir LAERTES Come, my lord They play HAMLET One LAERTES No HAMLET Judgment! OSRIC A hit, a very palpable hit LAERTES Well, again 295 300 305 KING FTLN 4024 FTLN 4025 FTLN 4026 Stay, give me drink.—Hamlet, this pearl is thine Here’s to thy health He drinks and then drops the pearl in the cup Drum, trumpets, and shot Give him the cup HAMLET FTLN 4027 FTLN 4028 I’ll play this bout first Set it by awhile Come They play Another hit What say you? 310 LAERTES FTLN 4029 A touch, a touch I confess ’t KING FTLN 4030 FTLN 4031 FTLN 4032 FTLN 4033 FTLN 4034 FTLN 4035 Our son shall win He’s fat and scant of breath.— Here, Hamlet, take my napkin; rub thy brows The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet She lifts the cup HAMLET Good madam KING Gertrude, not drink QUEEN QUEEN FTLN 4036 FTLN 4037 I will, my lord; I pray you pardon me KING , aside It is the poisoned cup It is too late She drinks 315 279 Hamlet ACT SC HAMLET FTLN 4038 FTLN 4039 FTLN 4040 FTLN 4041 FTLN 4042 I dare not drink yet, madam—by and by QUEEN Come, let me wipe thy face LAERTES , to Claudius My lord, I’ll hit him now KING I not think ’t LAERTES , aside And yet it is almost against my conscience 320 HAMLET FTLN 4043 FTLN 4044 FTLN 4045 FTLN 4046 FTLN 4047 FTLN 4048 FTLN 4049 FTLN 4050 FTLN 4051 Come, for the third, Laertes You but dally I pray you pass with your best violence I am afeard you make a wanton of me LAERTES Say you so? Come on Play OSRIC Nothing neither way LAERTES Have at you now! Laertes wounds Hamlet Then in scuffling they change rapiers, and Hamlet wounds Laertes KING Part them They are incensed HAMLET Nay, come again The Queen falls OSRIC Look to the Queen there, ho! 325 330 HORATIO FTLN 4052 FTLN 4053 They bleed on both sides.—How is it, my lord? OSRIC How is ’t, Laertes? 335 LAERTES FTLN 4054 Why as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric He falls FTLN 4055 I am justly killed with mine own treachery HAMLET FTLN 4056 FTLN 4057 How does the Queen? KING She swoons to see them bleed QUEEN FTLN 4058 FTLN 4059 No, no, the drink, the drink! O, my dear Hamlet! The drink, the drink! I am poisoned She dies HAMLET FTLN 4060 FTLN 4061 O villainy! Ho! Let the door be locked Treachery! Seek it out Osric exits 340 281 Hamlet ACT SC LAERTES FTLN 4062 FTLN 4063 FTLN 4064 FTLN 4065 FTLN 4066 FTLN 4067 FTLN 4068 FTLN 4069 It is here, Hamlet Hamlet, thou art slain No med’cine in the world can thee good In thee there is not half an hour’s life The treacherous instrument is in thy hand, Unbated and envenomed The foul practice Hath turned itself on me Lo, here I lie, Never to rise again Thy mother’s poisoned I can no more The King, the King’s to blame 345 350 HAMLET FTLN 4070 FTLN 4071 FTLN 4072 The point envenomed too! Then, venom, to thy work Hurts the King ALL Treason, treason! KING FTLN 4073 O, yet defend me, friends! I am but hurt 355 HAMLET FTLN 4074 FTLN 4075 FTLN 4076 FTLN 4077 FTLN 4078 FTLN 4079 FTLN 4080 FTLN 4081 Here, thou incestuous, murd’rous, damnèd Dane, Drink off this potion Is thy union here? Forcing him to drink the poison Follow my mother King dies LAERTES He is justly served It is a poison tempered by himself Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me Dies 360 HAMLET FTLN 4082 FTLN 4083 FTLN 4084 FTLN 4085 FTLN 4086 FTLN 4087 FTLN 4088 FTLN 4089 FTLN 4090 FTLN 4091 Heaven make thee free of it I follow thee.— I am dead, Horatio.—Wretched queen, adieu.— You that look pale and tremble at this chance, That are but mutes or audience to this act, Had I but time (as this fell sergeant, Death, Is strict in his arrest), O, I could tell you— But let it be.—Horatio, I am dead Thou livest; report me and my cause aright To the unsatisfied HORATIO Never believe it 365 370 283 FTLN 4092 FTLN 4093 FTLN 4094 FTLN 4095 FTLN 4096 FTLN 4097 FTLN 4098 FTLN 4099 FTLN 4100 FTLN 4101 FTLN 4102 FTLN 4103 Hamlet ACT SC I am more an antique Roman than a Dane Here’s yet some liquor left He picks up the cup HAMLET As thou ’rt a man, Give me the cup Let go! By heaven, I’ll ’t O God, Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me! If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, Absent thee from felicity awhile And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain To tell my story A march afar off and shot within What warlike noise is this? 375 380 385 Enter Osric OSRIC FTLN 4104 FTLN 4105 FTLN 4106 FTLN 4107 FTLN 4108 FTLN 4109 FTLN 4110 FTLN 4111 FTLN 4112 FTLN 4113 FTLN 4114 Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland, To th’ ambassadors of England gives This warlike volley HAMLET O, I die, Horatio! The potent poison quite o’ercrows my spirit I cannot live to hear the news from England But I prophesy th’ election lights On Fortinbras; he has my dying voice So tell him, with th’ occurrents, more and less, Which have solicited—the rest is silence O, O, O, O! Dies 390 395 HORATIO FTLN 4115 FTLN 4116 FTLN 4117 Now cracks a noble heart Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest March within Why does the drum come hither? Enter Fortinbras with the English Ambassadors with Drum, Colors, and Attendants FTLN 4118 FORTINBRAS Where is this sight? 400 285 FTLN 4119 FTLN 4120 Hamlet ACT SC What is it you would see? If aught of woe or wonder, cease your search HORATIO FORTINBRAS FTLN 4121 FTLN 4122 FTLN 4123 FTLN 4124 FTLN 4125 FTLN 4126 FTLN 4127 FTLN 4128 FTLN 4129 FTLN 4130 FTLN 4131 FTLN 4132 FTLN 4133 FTLN 4134 FTLN 4135 FTLN 4136 FTLN 4137 FTLN 4138 FTLN 4139 FTLN 4140 FTLN 4141 FTLN 4142 FTLN 4143 FTLN 4144 FTLN 4145 FTLN 4146 FTLN 4147 FTLN 4148 FTLN 4149 FTLN 4150 FTLN 4151 This quarry cries on havoc O proud Death, What feast is toward in thine eternal cell That thou so many princes at a shot So bloodily hast struck? AMBASSADOR The sight is dismal, And our affairs from England come too late The ears are senseless that should give us hearing To tell him his commandment is fulfilled, That Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead Where should we have our thanks? HORATIO Not from his mouth, Had it th’ ability of life to thank you He never gave commandment for their death But since, so jump upon this bloody question, You from the Polack wars, and you from England, Are here arrived, give order that these bodies High on a stage be placed to the view, And let me speak to th’ yet unknowing world How these things came about So shall you hear Of carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts, Of accidental judgments, casual slaughters, Of deaths put on by cunning and forced cause, And, in this upshot, purposes mistook Fall’n on th’ inventors’ heads All this can I Truly deliver FORTINBRAS Let us haste to hear it And call the noblest to the audience For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me HORATIO FTLN 4152 Of that I shall have also cause to speak, 405 410 415 420 425 430 287 FTLN 4153 FTLN 4154 FTLN 4155 FTLN 4156 FTLN 4157 FTLN 4158 FTLN 4159 FTLN 4160 FTLN 4161 FTLN 4162 FTLN 4163 FTLN 4164 FTLN 4165 FTLN 4166 FTLN 4167 Hamlet ACT SC And from his mouth whose voice will draw on more But let this same be presently performed Even while men’s minds are wild, lest more mischance On plots and errors happen FORTINBRAS Let four captains Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage, For he was likely, had he been put on, To have proved most royal; and for his passage, The soldier’s music and the rite of war Speak loudly for him Take up the bodies Such a sight as this Becomes the field but here shows much amiss Go, bid the soldiers shoot They exit, marching, after the which, a peal of ordnance are shot off 435 440 445 ... study and enjoyment of Shakespeare Synopsis Events before the start of Hamlet set the stage for tragedy When the king of Denmark, Prince Hamlet s father, suddenly dies, Hamlet s mother, Gertrude,... THE GHOST HAMLET, Prince of Denmark, son of the late King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude QUEEN GERTRUDE, widow of King Hamlet, now married to Claudius KING CLAUDIUS, brother to the late King Hamlet OPHELIA... it HAMLET Indeed, sirs, but this troubles me Hold you the watch tonight? ALL We do, my lord 235 HAMLET FTLN 0430 Armed, say you? 240 37 FTLN 0431 ALL FTLN 0432 HAMLET FTLN 0433 ALL FTLN 0434 Hamlet